News for September, 2011
Thursday, September 29th, 2011
The US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) has awarded a grant to CNT and 10 other partners to provide technical assistance to communities that are planning and implementing smart growth initiatives. The technical assistance grant is aimed at helping communities overcome barriers, “such as outdated zoning codes and other local regulations, lack of consensus around where and how to grow, and misconceptions about sustainable communities development approaches,” according to the US EPA website. The technical assistance provided by the group will take the form of one- and two-day workshops with public officials and engaged residents to address these common challenges. All communities that have received Sustainable Communities grants are eligible for this technical assistance. Read more »
Posted in Climate, Featured Portfolio News | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, September 28th, 2011
An analysis of 51 LEED-certified green projects in Illinois found that most—specifically those that prioritized energy efficiency during the design and construction phase—use less energy than a typical commercial building. The study also showed that additional costs associated with green construction varied across projects, with a median value of $3.81 per square foot. In addition, building occupants are generally satisfied with their work environment and the commute to these LEED® projects.
“Not all green buildings are alike when it comes to energy efficiency,” said Anne Evens, director of the nonprofit CNT Energy, which conducted the study in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council – Illinois Chapter (USGBC – Illinois). “Maximizing efficiency requires starting with the right priorities, monitoring usage, and tweaking operations and maintenance over the life of a building. Buildings account for a large portion of our global warming emissions here in Chicago, and building owners need to be diligent about efficiency to reduce emissions and save on utility bills.” Read more »
Posted in Energy, Featured Portfolio News | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 28th, 2011
CHICAGO (September 28, 2011)—An analysis of 51 LEED-certified green projects in Illinois found that most—specifically those that prioritized energy efficiency during the design and construction phase—use less energy than a typical commercial building. The study also showed that additional costs associated with green construction varied across projects, with a median value of $3.81 per square foot. In addition, building occupants are generally satisfied with their work environment and the commute to these LEED® projects.
“Not all green buildings are alike when it comes to energy efficiency,” said Anne Evens, director of the nonprofit CNT Energy, which conducted the study in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council – Illinois Chapter (USGBC – Illinois). “Maximizing efficiency requires starting with the right priorities, monitoring usage, and tweaking operations and maintenance over the life of a building. Buildings account for a large portion of our global warming emissions here in Chicago, and building owners need to be diligent about efficiency to reduce emissions and save on utility bills.”
The study, “Regional Green Building Case Study: Year Two Report,” is a follow-up to a 2009 study that examined the energy usage and other environmental factors in 25 LEED-certified buildings in Illinois. Read more »
Posted in Energy, Green Building, Press Releases | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 27th, 2011
Wangari Maathai speaks at the Al Raby School for Community and Environment on September 22, 2007 about the importance of rain gardens like the one CNT helped to plant at the school.
We at CNT are saddened to learn of the passing of 2004 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement. CNT was honored to have Ms. Maathai join us at the dedication of one of our first green infrastructure projects, located at the Al Raby School for Community and Environment and named in her honor.
CNT worked with the Al Raby School and the East Garfield Park community in 2007 to install the Wangari Maathai Natural Garden, a native woodland garden at the entrance of the school, located at 3545 West Fulton Boulevard. The project was not only beautiful; it also connected the students to nature by providing a hands-on experience in landscape design, creation, and maintenance. Read more »
Posted in Featured Portfolio News, Natural Resources | 1 Comment »
Friday, September 16th, 2011
Oberlin's enthusiasm for alternative transportation and environmental stewardship have made it a laboratory for big ideas throughout its history. Photo courtesy of Oberlin College Archives
Can a town completely eliminate its greenhouse gases produced by transportation by 2050? It’s a bold goal and one that CNT is presenting a roadmap for today at the “Northern Ohio’s Clean Energy Future” conference in Oberlin, Ohio. As part of a three person panel on “Community Wide Energy Transformation,” we will recommend actions big and small to bring the town of Oberlin to that zero carbon goal—from a new bike lane to the grocery store to a regional transit system that makes it possible to live in Oberlin without a car. Hosted at Oberlin College, the event will be attended by US Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, Oberlin Distinguished Professor David Orr, and other political and policy leaders across Ohio and the nation. Read more »
Posted in Climate, Featured Portfolio News | No Comments »
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
Key public, private, and nonprofit stakeholders attended a water infrastructure discussion hosted by CNT.
A CNT event to introduce our refocused water program drew more than 100 stakeholders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to the Sidley Austin law firm’s beautiful office in downtown Chicago. CNT CEO Kathryn Tholin and CNT Water Program Director Harriet Festing framed the evening’s panel discussion by describing CNT’s approach to developing sustainability solutions for a wide range of water resource issues. Read more »
Posted in Featured Portfolio News, Natural Resources | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 13th, 2011
CNT Energy and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning are proud to cohost an innovative event coming to Chicago on September 28. The GreenMLS/Better Buildings Roundtable will bring energy and real estate professionals together to pinpoint a market-driven path to drive demand for energy efficient homes.
Using a bottom-up model, the event will bring together key players from six communities receiving Department of Energy Better Buildings grant funding. The Better Buildings grants are designed in part to create residential home energy remodeling programs that will both accelerate energy efficient home inventory and create long-term demand for this type of remodeling work. National experts will provide context and discuss how energy efficiency programs can be reflected best in each community’s local multiple listing service (MLS). Addressing energy efficiency in the MLS systems now will ready the markets for a time when more energy efficient homes become available for resale. This work could make a premium for these homes more transparent to consumers. Read more »
Posted in Energy, Featured Portfolio News | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
Although housing and transportation costs are currently affordable to most residents of Northwest Arkansas, high transportation costs and a growing demand for housing in walkable, centrally located neighborhoods are putting pressure on the region’s economic development efforts. That’s according to a new CNT report whose analysis of four Arkansas cities—Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale—is based on US Census data and 23 interviews with regional stakeholders. Read more »
Posted in Featured Portfolio News, H+T, Transportation and Community Development | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
CHICAGO (September 7, 2011)—Although housing and transportation costs are currently affordable to most residents of Northwest Arkansas, high transportation costs and a growing demand for housing in walkable, centrally located neighborhoods are putting pressure on the region’s economic development efforts. That’s according to a new report by the Center for Neighborhood Technology, whose analysis of four Arkansas cities—Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale—is based on US Census data and 23 interviews with regional stakeholders.
Read more »
Posted in Press Releases | No Comments »
